Fan Damping Unit Absorbs Axial Shock Forces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fan devices lack effective damping mechanisms to mitigate shock, vibrations, and oscillations, which can lead to reduced stability, increased wear, and decreased service life.

Innovation Solution

A fan device with a damping unit comprising flexible damping elements, preferably disc springs, strategically positioned between the fan housing and the fan wheel to absorb and dissipate forces parallel to the axis of rotation, thereby reducing the impact of shocks and vibrations on the bearing unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no damping unit is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the bearing unit is subjected to unmitigated shock, vibrations and oscillations leading to increased wear and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping unit with damping elements is pre-installed between the first fan unit and second fan unit to cushion against upcoming shocks, vibrations and oscillations. This beforehand cushioning protects the bearing unit from harmful forces during operation, extending service life without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping unit acts as an intermediary element between the first fan unit and second fan unit, absorbing and dissipating harmful forces before they reach the bearing unit. This mediator approach protects critical components while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a damping unit is added to mitigate shock and vibrations, then the service life and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping elements utilize flexible deformable structures that can elastically deform to absorb vibrations and shocks. This flexible approach provides effective damping while avoiding the need for complex rigid mechanical damping mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If damping elements are strategically positioned between fan housing and fan wheel, then the impact of shocks on bearing unit is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing failure riskVSAvoidmanufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The damping unit is segmented into multiple damping elements that can be independently positioned between the first fan unit and second fan unit. This segmentation allows for optimized placement at critical locations to protect the bearing unit, while each individual damping element remains a simple, easily manufactured component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances the stability and robustness of the fan device, extends its service life, and improves maintenance and cost efficiency by effectively dampening axial movements and forces, minimizing the risk of bearing failure.

Implementation Method 1

The damping unit (18c) has at least one holding element (46c, 48c) and at least one damping element (20c, 22c). The damping elements are flexible and in particular elastic.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a damping unit (18c), which is provided for a relative movement of the first fan unit (10c), and of the second fan unit (12c), caused in particular by a shock, a shock, vibrations and / or oscillations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3455504B1Device, in particular fan device, and method for damping a device, in particular a fan device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 EBM PAPST ST GEORGEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3455504B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3455504B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3455504B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device, in particular a fan device, is proposed, which has: a first unit (10a-e), in particular a first fan unit; a second unit (12a-e), in particular a second fan unit; a bearing unit (14a-e), which supports the first unit (10a-e), in particular the fan unit, and the second unit (12a-e), in particular the fan unit, such that they can rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis (16a-e); and a damping unit (18a-e), which is provided to damp, at least partially, a relative movement of the first unit (10a-e), in particular the fan unit, and of the second unit (12a-e), in particular the fan unit, in a first axial direction oriented at least substantially parallel to the rotation axis (16a-e) and in a second axial direction oriented at least substantially parallel to the rotation axis (16a-e).